The Inquirer Editorial Board

As a native of Butler County, I would like to inform my fellow Philadelphians that not everyone from that county or from Western Pennsylvania condones the bigoted, uninformed, and mean-spirited positions taken by State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R., Butler), highlighted in recent days by The Inquirer ("The Pa. divide: Philly, take it or leave it," June 30).

Similarly, Metcalfe's irrational, backwards, policy views regarding social issues, public transportation, and public education are not supported by many who once called - or currently call - Butler County their home.

State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R., Butler)

Unfortunately, Metcalfe appears to care more about clinging to an ultra-conservative orthodoxy that ignores the realities of actual data and sound public policy research to know that Southeastern Pennsylvania is the commonwealth's economic engine, and that all Pennsylvanians deserve dignity and respect regardless of their worldview.